safe old money like they were used to investing in with their conservative pockets, but the more he spoke, the more I could see them changing their minds.
Mason wasn't the only one speaking on my behalf that day. Gabriel sat next to me. He started the meeting by telling them our life story of growing up in the South End and how he built the MMAC, his Mixed Martial Arts organization, then segued into his grant to revitalize the South End and the work I did on that.
On my other side was William King, another old money billionaire. He discussed losing his parents at an early age to a robber one night in the South End. He told the board how unsafe the area was and the drastic changes I was involved with over the past year.
Across from me, Xander Boone brought his support by detailing the millions of dollars his fundraiser brought in to support my revitalization work. He explained how decades ago, he worked as a cook at a hole in the wall in the South End after distancing himself from his family fortune. He also outlined the talks he and I had about building my company to help further restoration projects, both publicly and privately.
My final ace in the hole was the Winslow brothers, Drake and Brent. They had already signed up as investors and were willing to match any funds the shareholders agreed to invest in me. Brent was the financial whiz behind that idea, explaining that I didn't want any one group of shareholders holding too large of a percentage of the business.
In the past year I had gotten to know each of these men, but I never thought when Mason first contacted me three months ago about designing a new ranch for him that I would be seated with them presenting a billion-dollar investment plan in my company.
As Mason wrapped up, he gushed about the plans I had drawn up for his home. He hinted at the revolutionary design for his stables as excitement filled his voice.
I reached down and touched my portfolio, making sure it was still there. As I twisted my ring around my finger, my phone buzzed. I glanced over and read the text as Mason said my name.
Becca: I miss my friend.
I flipped my phone over so I couldn't see the screen and stood. It was funny that she reached out to me today of all days. I had planned to call her after the meeting and tell her I was back in town.
I wanted to see her. I wanted us to start our lives together as soon as possible. After months of being without Becca, I realized that I was the best I could ever be when I was with her. She didn't need me to be better or wealthier, she cared about me for me.
I was going to call her, not because of my new success, but because I couldn't be without her anymore. I didn't know what she would say or how she would react, but I was ready to put my heart on the line. I just needed everything to be perfect.
As I put the first sketch on the easel, I laughed to myself thinking about how Becca would tease me for not using the technology of the overhead projector.
I spun my ring around my finger, then let my hands drop to my sides. With a confident smile, I met the eyes of each of those old money shareholders.
"Thank you for having me here today, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Gideon Kohl, and I'm going to take it back old school for you right now."
Chapter Eighteen
Gideon
The spotlights danced in the clear night sky. As I approached the Boone Art Gallery, the line of cars waiting for the valet didn't catch my eye. I didn't pay attention to anything because things were different for me this time.
In less than a year, I changed enough that the fancy cars and wealth that came to these fundraisers didn't matter to me. What mattered to me was getting inside and seeing Becca.
I slowed my Bugatti down and entered the parking garage. It had been a few days since I presented to the shareholders and while I had planned to call Becca afterwards, when I found out about the fundraiser for the South End, I realized that was the perfect place to
Mason wasn't the only one speaking on my behalf that day. Gabriel sat next to me. He started the meeting by telling them our life story of growing up in the South End and how he built the MMAC, his Mixed Martial Arts organization, then segued into his grant to revitalize the South End and the work I did on that.
On my other side was William King, another old money billionaire. He discussed losing his parents at an early age to a robber one night in the South End. He told the board how unsafe the area was and the drastic changes I was involved with over the past year.
Across from me, Xander Boone brought his support by detailing the millions of dollars his fundraiser brought in to support my revitalization work. He explained how decades ago, he worked as a cook at a hole in the wall in the South End after distancing himself from his family fortune. He also outlined the talks he and I had about building my company to help further restoration projects, both publicly and privately.
My final ace in the hole was the Winslow brothers, Drake and Brent. They had already signed up as investors and were willing to match any funds the shareholders agreed to invest in me. Brent was the financial whiz behind that idea, explaining that I didn't want any one group of shareholders holding too large of a percentage of the business.
In the past year I had gotten to know each of these men, but I never thought when Mason first contacted me three months ago about designing a new ranch for him that I would be seated with them presenting a billion-dollar investment plan in my company.
As Mason wrapped up, he gushed about the plans I had drawn up for his home. He hinted at the revolutionary design for his stables as excitement filled his voice.
I reached down and touched my portfolio, making sure it was still there. As I twisted my ring around my finger, my phone buzzed. I glanced over and read the text as Mason said my name.
Becca: I miss my friend.
I flipped my phone over so I couldn't see the screen and stood. It was funny that she reached out to me today of all days. I had planned to call her after the meeting and tell her I was back in town.
I wanted to see her. I wanted us to start our lives together as soon as possible. After months of being without Becca, I realized that I was the best I could ever be when I was with her. She didn't need me to be better or wealthier, she cared about me for me.
I was going to call her, not because of my new success, but because I couldn't be without her anymore. I didn't know what she would say or how she would react, but I was ready to put my heart on the line. I just needed everything to be perfect.
As I put the first sketch on the easel, I laughed to myself thinking about how Becca would tease me for not using the technology of the overhead projector.
I spun my ring around my finger, then let my hands drop to my sides. With a confident smile, I met the eyes of each of those old money shareholders.
"Thank you for having me here today, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Gideon Kohl, and I'm going to take it back old school for you right now."
Chapter Eighteen
Gideon
The spotlights danced in the clear night sky. As I approached the Boone Art Gallery, the line of cars waiting for the valet didn't catch my eye. I didn't pay attention to anything because things were different for me this time.
In less than a year, I changed enough that the fancy cars and wealth that came to these fundraisers didn't matter to me. What mattered to me was getting inside and seeing Becca.
I slowed my Bugatti down and entered the parking garage. It had been a few days since I presented to the shareholders and while I had planned to call Becca afterwards, when I found out about the fundraiser for the South End, I realized that was the perfect place to
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